
Most adults have 32 teeth, but our thoughts about our mouths are endless. Welcome to Lip Service , a series exploring the science, self-expression, and statement-making beauty behind being mouthy.
Picking the right lip color can make anyone feel like Goldilocks. One might be too drying. Another isn't pigmented enough. Some are too pigmented. And in the realm of lip color, it isn't just about finding one shade or product. You want to find the right stain , gloss , or lipstick for special occasions, and oil for everyday use. Narrowing down the best lip products for specific scenarios would be a full-time job.
After sifting through all of the feedback, we found 15 lip products that we can confidently say are the best on the market right now, with ideal color payoff, beautiful packaging, and major staying power. Keep reading for the absolute best color products, and make sure to check out the rest of our winners to level up your mouth routine.
The shade "Audrey" is one of many inspired by Old Hollywood glamour. Our tester loved its creaminess and high-impact color. Plus, you'd never guess it's refillable and recyclable—simply toss the empty cartridge into a bin.
Merit's lip liner delivers a soft-focus look without harsh lines. Hydrating pomegranate and jojoba add moisture. "I often veer away from lip liners because I like a blurred look, but this one adds definition without any harsh edges," said our tester.
If the red carpet had an official lipstick, it would be this one. Highly pigmented and velvety, it's a go-to for TikTok-famous makeup artist Nina Park. Our tester loved the array of neutral and vibrant shades, and how the color melted into the lips.
This creamy formula uses a hydrobooster complex made of hyaluronic acid and konjac glucomannan, a fiber derived from konjac root, to deeply nourish and plump. The matte film texture also blurs fine lines to leave you with soft, smooth lips with a purported eight hours of wear. Our tester, a loyal red lipstick wearer, noted that it lasted through multiple meals and drinks and that it was more moisturizing than other matte formulas she's tried.
Blurred, just-finished-kissing-someone lipstick is the best way to look effortless but still put together. This balm gives you a soft effect with just one swipe and is also infused with Lapacho tree extract, a South American tree with shocking pink blooms that contain antioxidants to hydrate and smooth lines. Our tester said that even though she's not a self-proclaimed "lipstick person," she can get behind Bisou Balm. "I really like the matte finish and that it's buildable. It's one of my preferred colored products."

